Masaka NRM Leaders Ask Museveni to Intervene in Dispute With Minister Justine Nameere
KAMPALA, Uganda — National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Masaka City have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in an escalating dispute involving State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere Nsubuga.
The party officials accuse Nameere, who is also the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament, of alleged abuse of office, targeting political opponents and undermining NRM structures in the city.
The allegations were raised during a meeting of NRM structural leaders held at the party offices in Kizungu Zone, Masaka City.
Masaka NRM Leaders Petition Museveni
Masaka City NRM Chairperson Rogers Bulegeya, who led the group of party officials, said they had resolved to seek an audience with President Museveni to present their grievances.
Bulegeya accused Nameere of allegedly using her ministerial and political influence to frustrate members of the party who opposed her during the NRM primaries.
He further alleged that the minister’s actions had contributed to divisions among NRM leaders and created tensions involving civil servants and other local officials.
According to Bulegeya, several NRM leaders who did not support Nameere during the party primaries have subsequently faced anti-corruption investigations over allegations linked to government wealth creation programmes.
Leaders Link Dispute to Anti-Corruption Operations
The accusations come after Nameere and Senior Minister of State for Local Government Balam Barugahara held anti-corruption public meetings, commonly known as barazas, in Masaka last week.
The ministers reportedly directed action against several individuals over allegations of corruption.
However, Bulegeya alleged that some of the individuals targeted were being unfairly persecuted because of political disagreements within the NRM.
He also claimed that Nameere had sought to influence police and judicial processes in ways that allegedly made it difficult for suspects to secure bail or police bond.
These allegations have not been independently established, and the affected individuals remain entitled to due process.
NRM Leaders Warn of Further Political Fallout
Bulegeya said the alleged victimisation had created fear among some local leaders and civil servants, which he argued could negatively affect service delivery in Masaka City.
He warned that NRM structural leaders could publicly distance themselves from Nameere if their concerns were not addressed.
Bulegeya also said attempts to resolve the disagreements directly with the minister had not produced the desired results.
Vincent Bukenya, the NRM chairperson for Kimanya-Kabonera Division, similarly criticised what he described as Nameere’s confrontational leadership style.
Bukenya argued that the internal disagreements were damaging the image of the ruling party in Masaka and called for urgent intervention.
Youth Leaders Call for NRM Discipline
Hamza Katumba Nnumba, the NRM Youth Council chairperson in Masaka City, called for stronger disciplinary measures within the party.
He said NRM leaders should be held accountable regardless of their political or government positions.
Katumba also appealed to President Museveni to address the grievances, warning that continued internal disagreements could encourage some party members to abandon the NRM.
Justine Nameere Rejects Allegations
In response to the accusations, Minister Justine Nameere dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Nameere reportedly attributed the criticism to jealousy over what she described as her leadership achievements.
She accused a section of NRM leaders of acting on behalf of political cliques seeking to distract her from carrying out her responsibilities as Minister of State for Local Government and Member of Parliament.
The minister maintains that her actions are part of her official responsibilities, including oversight and accountability.
Masaka NRM Divisions Date Back to Party Primaries
The latest disagreement is part of wider divisions within the NRM leadership in Masaka City that have persisted since the party primaries held in July 2025.
Nameere’s candidacy reportedly faced opposition from sections of NRM leaders during the primaries.
The party’s national leadership had previously sought to reconcile the rival groups, but tensions have continued to resurface.
The latest accusations have now increased pressure on the NRM leadership to intervene and resolve the disagreements before they further affect the party’s structures and political activities in Masaka City.
